Chapter 64: Since They Were Little

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Translator: Soafp

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Ginji, Sora, and Misuzu—who had already taken some emotional damage right from the start—moved along the street in front of the station, hiding as they went.

Their first destination was a mobile phone shop so Ginji could change his email address. The shop was located along a road facing a commercial complex, making it a high-traffic area. Misuzu thinking she wouldn't be spotted if she entered through a different route, she went in from another entrance, while Ginji and Sora entered directly.

“I had a reservation, but I guess we're a little early.”

Ginji said with a sigh, checking his reservation number. He seemed to think it was a waste of time on what should be a date. Sora, however, remained cheerful, smiling from ear to ear.

“Well then, let's check out phones and cases! Yours is totally falling apart, Ginji.”

Ginji took out his smartphone. It was true—the case looked pretty beaten up.

“Yeah, I've been using this since middle school. Got it from a 100-yen shop.”

Re-linking their arms after having separated them upon entering the store, Sora dragged Ginji toward the accessories section. As Ginji looked for a cover that fit his old model, Sora pulled out her own phone from the side.

“Yours is a wallet case, right? Mine's a hard cover.”

Puffing out her chest proudly, she showed off her phone case—sturdy and rugged, the kind even most guys wouldn't choose. At first glance, it looked like real gears were trapped inside the transparent case, but upon closer inspection, it was a 3D-style image. It wasn't very girly, but the steampunk design had a mechanical charm that would definitely appeal to guys.

“Whoa, now that I really look at it, that's actually pretty cool.”

“Right? It's actually a custom-made model. I sent in the design and had it made. It wasn't that expensive either—you can even choose the material.”

Seeing Ginji inspecting the case intently, Sora explained proudly.

“No way, that's a thing? That's awesome. It really looks like there are real gears inside. Is it just an illusion?”

“Want me to make one for you too? I won't do the exact same design—that'd be boring. I'll go for something more toned-down… but with the same theme. Ehehehe… matching cases.”

Sora pulled out a notebook and started sketching with a pen. Ginji gave a wry smile. He didn't respond directly, but if Sora was having fun, that was enough for him. And honestly, it looked like he'd end up with a really cool case.

“I'll pay, so teach me how to do it later. But let's sit down—it's not safe standing while you draw.”

“Hmm… maybe I can include multiple messages in the gears… and make the angles change the visibility… or even make it a box design…”

“Alright, come on this way.”

Now it was Ginji's turn to pull the switch-flipped Sora to a chair. On the way, he poured her a free cup of coffee and had her sit down. Watching all this, Misuzu sighed.

“Sora-chi has a good vibe going… but is it okay to just leave Ginji alone during a date?”

From the corner with the wireless earbuds she had no intention of buying, Misuzu observed the pair. Fortunately, Sora, completely caught up in the excitement of her date with Ginji, hadn't noticed she was being followed. She worried for a moment about how suddenly Sora had gone into focus mode, but Ginji sat next to her sipping coffee with a soft expression, watching her fondly. The atmosphere between them was undeniably sweet.

“Well, they're not officially dating yet, right? I guess this much is fine for now. I'll just ask Sora-chi about the rest later on IINE.”

Deciding not to push it further, Misuzu was about to leave—when she saw it.

Sora rested her head on Ginji's shoulder.

“Gkh!”

Misuzu choked. Sora still seemed focused on her design sketch. But still—she wouldn't lean on someone like that if she wasn't at least subconsciously comfortable with them. She'd done it naturally.

What shocked Misuzu even more was that Ginji adjusted his position slightly so Sora could lean on him more easily, then continued sipping his coffee like it was the most normal thing in the world. It all seemed so natural—like it was a familiar routine for them—and it made Misuzu tremble.

Wait… why are they acting so used to this? Isn't this kind of a heart-pounding moment? D-don't tell me… have they always been like this? Is this normal for them!?

As Misuzu was reeling in disbelief, Sora finished sketching her design and took in her surroundings. Then she narrowed her eyes and nuzzled Ginji's arm with her head.

Gahk.

Somewhere, a damage sound echoed—but the two didn't even flinch.

“Done!”

“Let me see… whoa, you drew this in just a few minutes? That's really cool.”

The design showed gears meshing like the inside of a gearbox, with a sense of depth and interlocking structure. Simple, but its ruggedness felt just right for Ginji.

“Gears are cool, right? They start small, then gradually mesh more deeply and end up moving something big.”

“Yeah. I used to mess with toy car gears all day. I didn't know what I was doing, just combining all kinds of gears without thinking. Should've just done the math.”

“And that's why it's even more fun when it actually works.”

“Yeah. The trial-and-error makes success feel that much sweeter… it's a good design.”

Ginji patted Sora on the head, and they finally sat up properly. Just then, their reservation was called, and the two headed together to the service counter.

Meanwhile, Misuzu, now ghostlike and drained, stumbled out of the shop and into a chain café inside the complex.

“Welcome! We're currently offering a limited-time honey milk tea—”

“Black coffee. Grande size.”

“Uh, um…”

The aura Misuzu was giving off made the clerk force a nervous smile.

“W-we also have these sweet cookies as part of our honey campaign—”

“Black. Grande.”

“…Right away, ma'am.”

Misuzu took the coffee, sat down, and drank it like milk after a hot bath—then slumped over the table in defeat.

“I want a boyfriend toooo…”

The Love Master… whose boyfriend experience was still zero years and counting.

Having taken a mysterious blow to the soul, Misuzu silently vowed to grill Sora for every detail about the rest of the date later.